Speaking of Cults
A podcast about cults, coercive control and recovery. Formerly called the Sensibly Speaking podcast, in this weekly show host Chris Shelton interviews cult survivors, psychologists and other professionals and specialists about the topics of cult recruitment, retention and recovery.
Episodes
Episodes
Saturday Oct 06, 2018
The Three Apostates take on Cult Control Methods
Saturday Oct 06, 2018
Saturday Oct 06, 2018
This week, former Mormon Jonathan Streeter and former Jehovah’s Witness Lloyd Evans and I reunite as the Three Apostates to discuss the cult control techniques that are used to retain members. We compare and contrast the sayings, methods and social controls across our former groups such as how members are made to feel they’ll fail if they leave the cult, etc.
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #161: The Three Apostates take on Cult Control Techniques appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Sep 29, 2018
Prosecuting Cults like Scientology (RICO, etc.)
Saturday Sep 29, 2018
Saturday Sep 29, 2018
This week, Dr. Jeff Wasel and I discuss the specifics of what it takes to prosecute a crime family or a destructive cult (often the same thing) including delving in to the mysteries of the RICO statues and how they are used. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast 160: Prosecuting Cults Like Scientology (RICO, etc.) appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Sep 22, 2018
Traumatic Narcissism ft. Dan Shaw
Saturday Sep 22, 2018
Saturday Sep 22, 2018
This week I am joined by Daniel Shaw, an expert on narcissism and cult recovery who has his own story to tell and then answers a lot of questions about how narcissism manifests itself, where it likely comes from and how we can be aware of narcissistic characteristics in those we meet.
Dan Shaw’s book, Traumatic Narcissism, is available on Amazon here: https://goo.gl/ABaj7R
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #159: Traumatic Narcissism ft. Daniel Shaw appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Sep 15, 2018
Let’s Talk about Depression
Saturday Sep 15, 2018
Saturday Sep 15, 2018
This week, my wife Melissa and I engage in a very personal discussion about depression, anxiety and mental illness in general. We talk about what it’s like to live with and experience these, Scientology attitudes about this and the role of psychiatry in the past and present, how others react badly to mental issues and what people can do differently.
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #158: Let’s Talk about Depression appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Sep 01, 2018
Let’s Talk About Human Rights
Saturday Sep 01, 2018
Saturday Sep 01, 2018
This week, my wife Melissa and I have a fairly informal discussion about the topic of rights in our world, specifically human rights and civil rights. We discuss the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the consequences, troubles and issues with implementing them around the world and especially here at home in the United States. Enjoy!
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #156: Let’s Talk About Human Rights appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Aug 25, 2018
Scientology, Drug Abuse and Recovery ft. Nathan Rich
Saturday Aug 25, 2018
Saturday Aug 25, 2018
This week I talk to third-generation former Scientologist Nathan Rich about not just his history in Scientology as a teen, but his incredible journey of recovery since including a seven-year stretch of horrific drug abuse.
Nathan’s book is available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GC685LL
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #155: Scientology, Drug Abuse and Recovery ft. Nathan Rich appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Aug 18, 2018
Love, Terror and Brainwashing ft. Alexandra Stein
Saturday Aug 18, 2018
Saturday Aug 18, 2018
This week I have Dr. Alexandra Stein, social psychologist and author of the book Love, Terror and Brainwashing. We discuss various aspects of cult behavior and psychology.
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #154: Love, Terror and Brainwashing ft. Alexandra Stein appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Saturday Aug 11, 2018
Debunking All the Bullshit ft. SciBabe
Saturday Aug 11, 2018
Saturday Aug 11, 2018
This week I have the sometimes crass, sometimes downright vulgar but always informative Yvette d’Entremont, aka SciBabe, with me to talk about the nonsense of Gwenyth Paltrow’s Goop, David Wolfe’s avocados and all the rest of the health woo and other pseudoscience out there that trips people up and takes their money and their time without giving anything substantial back. We also go over how to protect yourself and find out what you need to know when visiting the doctor so you get the kind of treatment you need and deserve.
You can find Yvette’s site here: http://scibabe.com
The Cochrane website is here: http://cochrane.org
The post Sensibly Speaking Podcast #153: Debunking all the Bullshit ft. SciBabe appeared first on The Sensibly Speaking Podcast.
Your Host
Hello, my name is Chris Shelton and I am an author, consultant, podcaster, videographer, and former cult member. Welcome to my podcast!
Who is Chris Shelton?
Chris started a YouTube channel which has over 45,000 subscribers, produces the Sensibly Speaking podcast each week and has produced hundreds of videos laying out the scam of Scientology, educating on critical thinking and interviewing former members of Scientology and other destructive cults, as well as a range of therapists, cult exit counselors, educators and media personalities. Chris has also given talks and presentations around the United States about his experiences and has been featured on numerous podcasts and television shows. He was featured on Leah Remini’s Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E and served as a consultant to the show for its first two seasons. He has also written a critical analysis of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard called Scientology: A to Xenu – An Insider’s Guide to What Scientology is Really All About, available on Amazon in printed form, e-book format and as an audio book.